FOND DU LAC - After losing its top two golfers from the past few seasons, it would have been understandable if the St. Mary's Springs boys golf team took a dip this spring.

Patrick Treichel and Brady Sarauer — who finished second and third, respectively, in last year's Flyway Conference individual standings — played enormous roles on the Ledger teams that won the WIAA Division 3 state championship in both 2015 and 2016.

Their departure left a major hole. The Ledgers have filled it.

Using a number of underclassmen who took a back seat to Treichel and Sarauer the last couple years, St. Mary's Springs just completed a dominant run through the Flyway Conference in 2017.

The Ledgers won all seven Flyway mini-meets with ease and capped it off by obliterating the competition at Friday's Flyway Conference tournament at Lawsonia Golf Course in Green Lake, shooting 333 as a team to win by nearly 50 strokes.

In the final Flyway individual standings, the top four golfers are all from St. Mary's Springs — Colin Ahern (266), Owen Ahern (271), Doyle Kelly (273) and Dawson Sarauer (275). Ben Hintze (285) finished sixth.

The boys golf postseason begins on Tuesday, with the Ledgers traveling to Rock River Country Club in Waupun for a Division 3 regional meet hosted by Central Wisconsin Christian.

Although anything can happen, especially with the pressure of the postseason, it's hard to imagine another run to the state meet not being in the cards for St. Mary's Springs this year.

If the Ledgers continue to golf like they have been, they just may be hoisting another state championship trophy in a couple weeks.

Around the area

The Fond du Lac boys track and field team finished in second place at the Fox Valley Association meet on Monday in Oshkosh, proving it will once again be a force in the postseason. The Cardinals scored 121.5 points to come in behind meet winner Kimberly (203.5). ... Laconia softball finished unbeaten in the Flyway Conference, crushing Winnebago Lutheran 12-2 on Thursday. Ace pitcher Kayla Schwebke allowed her first runs of the season, but struck out 18 in earning the victory ... Waupun baseball clinched the East Central Conference championship outright with a pair of wins against Kettle Moraine Lutheran, paired with a Campbellsport defeat against Ripon. ... Oakfield baseball won the Trailways North Conference title outright with a win against Cambria-Friesland on Tuesday. ... St. Mary's Springs girls track and field reclaimed the Flyway Conference title on Tuesday, edging defending champion Mayville at the conference meet. ... Waupun boys golf won the East Central Conference tournament on Wednesday at Whispering Springs Golf Club, finishing third in the final league standings. ... Central Wisconsin Christian boys golf won the North Division of the Trailways Conference tournament on Wednesday, taking second in the final league standings. ... Winnebago Lutheran baseball capped off a perfect Flyway Conference season, defeating St. Mary's Springs on Thursday to go 12-0. ... Fond du Lac baseball might not win the Fox Valley Association title, but the Cardinals have shown they can compete with anyone, defeating league powerhouse Kimberly 1-0 on Thursday. ... Waupun softball won the East Central Conference championship outright with a victory over Berlin on Thursday. ... Oakfield softball won a share of the Trailways North Conference title with a pair of wins over Cambria-Friesland, splitting the title with Oshkosh Lourdes. ... Fond du Lac boys golf finished third at the Fox Valley Association tournament on Friday and took third in the final conference standings. ... Fond du Lac boys tennis tied for second at the Fox Valley Association tournament on Friday, which also put them in a tie for second in the final FVA standings.

Looking ahead

Monday: WIAA regional track and field meets take place across the state, as athletes begin their march to La Crosse.